Migrant cap is ‘barrier to growth’, says Gus O’Donnell

The former head of the Civil Service today accused the Government of “shooting itself in the foot” over its immigration policy. Lord O’Donnell, who retired as Cabinet Secretary in December, argues that the cap on skilled immigrants “is a big barrier to growth”.

Writing in The Times, Lord O’Donnell, who worked under Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, largely backs the growth policy put forward by Lord Heseltine yesterday. But he disputes Lord Heseltine’s claims that Whitehall is blocking devolution to the regions and argues that it is often ministers who are failing to drive through policy.